More deaths on day of pro-Assad rally in Syria

A rally in Syria saw tens of thousands of people gathered in support of President Bashar al-Assad, but on the same day there were further deaths among protesters in another part of the country.

Supporters in the commercial capital of Aleppo held pictures of Assad and waved Syrian flags, as well as those of Russia and China, a thank you to the countries who vetoed a UN draft resolution to impose sanctions on Syria.

The demonstration follows an emergency meeting of the Arab League, where foreign ministers met to discuss the possible suspension of Syria’s membership following months of brutality against protesters.

Although some are opposed to the suspension, the NTC of Libya has now officially recognised the Syrian opposition council as the legitimate rulers of the country.

According to the UN, around 3,000 people have been killed so far by Assad’s troops since protests began seven months ago.

During the pro-Assad demonstrations in Aleppo, it was reported that 17 people were killed in the opposition stronghold of Homs, seven of them army defectors.